Welcome to the WHSD News page
If you have a concern or question please call the newsline at (412) 256-3324 and leave a message or email concerns@whsd.net. Within 24 hours of the next business day a response will be provided here or on the newsline.
Dickson Has A Special Visitor
Dickson School recently hosted a visitor from Ghana who shared his very special talent with students in Art Teacher Beth Wagner’s classroom. Ms. Wagner and her student teacher, Kristi Jan Hoover, worked together to create for their students a fun experience of Ghanaian culture, drumming, and art.
Ms. Hoover was teaching the fourth and fifth graders at Dickson about the North West African country of Ghana, in conjunction with the school wide interdisciplinary “Journey Around the World” project funded by the Woodland Hills Foundation. The students were focusing on Adinkra Symbols, which are a very important part of Ghanaian culture and art. These symbols can be found in the clothing people wear, in their architecture, jewelry, art, and commercial design.
As a special surprise, Mr. Prosperity Ayimbota, a Ghanaian artist and drummer, visiting from Ghana, presented an impromptu drumming workshop for the delighted students, teachers, and even Principal Allison Kline.
The students had seen photographs of Ghana that Ms. Hoover had taken while studying abroad in that country. She had already explained to the students how revered and popular drummers are in the Ghanaian culture.
For one student, Mr. Ayimbota’s visit was particularly special. Japhet Mwamba, a Dickson Elementary student who recently moved to Pittsburgh from the Congo, was able to welcome Mr. Ayimbota to his new school and they seemed to share a special moment as they drummed together.
Mr. Ayimbota’s visit was an extraordinary experience for all involved and the students enjoyed their cultural interchange.
JH "Step it UP" Program featured in NEWS
To read about the Junior High Step it UP program that was featured in the Tribune Review, "Schools Wage Weight War," click on the following link:
WH Students Receive Toshiba ExploraVision Awards
First through sixth grade students in the GATE program across the Woodland Hills School District competed in the Toshiba/NSTA(National Science Teachers Association) ExploraVision Contest. More than 20 teams across the district entered the competition.
Six WH teams were awarded Honorable Mention in the 2010 Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Competition. The Honorable Mention award places our teams’ projects among the top 10% of all ExploraVision entries submitted to the competition this year. Our students were recognized because they demonstrated innovative thinking in their exploration of science and its impact on technology and the future. 
Students worked in groups of two, three or four, simulating Research and Development teams. Each team selected a technology, or an aspect of a technology, which is present in the home, school, or community, or was relevant to their lives. They explored what the technology does, how it works, and how, when, and why it was invented. 
The students then projected into the future what advancements needed to occur in order for that technology to become a reality. The students wrote a research paper, designed a web site, and built models of the technologies they created for the future.
Each award winning team member received a Certificate of Achievement and a special gift. The students were coached by GATE teachers Mrs. Cathy Pearson and Mrs. Karen Schollaert.
More information about this competition is available at the ExploraVision web site www.exploravision.org.
PUBLIC MEETING ON DRESS CODE REVISION
A second public meeting to discuss the proposed changes in the Board Dress Code Policy to require a district wide uniform will be held on Tuesday, March 16 from 6:30 PM - 8 PM. The meeting will be held in the Board Meeting Room at the Administration Building located at 2430 Greensburg Pike.Fairless Students Enjoy New Science Program
FAIRLESS ELEMENTARY TEACHER JOSEPH DEGROOT HAS BEEN AWARDED A GRANT FROM THE SPECTROSCOPY SOCIETY OF PITTSBURGH FOR AN ELEMENTARY SCIENCE OLYMPIAD.
The Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh, an organization dedicated to promoting the increase and exchange of knowledge in the field of science and the furthering of science education in Western Pennsylvania, awarded an elementary Science Olympiad grant of over $2,000 to Fairless Elementary Joseph DeGroot.
At an Elementary Science Olympiad students take an active role in explaining science topics related to the school’s curriculum. One of the goals of the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh is the application of science to events that are enjoyable and that provide a variety of real world experiences to the students. The program helps students of all abilities succeed in science and its purpose is to excite, inspire, challenge and foster the fun side of science for elementary students.
Mr. DeGroot is a third year elementary teacher in the Woodland Hills School District. He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh’s Master of Arts in Teaching Program and for the past three years has served as the director of Camp Invention, a summer enrichment program that instills creative problem solving and critical thinking skills in the field of science for children grades 1 – 6.
March Legislative Board Packet Available
The Legislative Board Packet Information is available at the following link.WHHS SWIMMERS MOVE ON TO STATES!
Congratulations to the five WHHS girls who qualified for the PIAA Swimming Championships on March 17 and 18!
• Gi Bodner (200 Freestyle Relay, 500 Freestyle/Alternate)
• Maddie Marcelle (100 Breaststroke)
• Sarah Rinsma (100 Butterfly, 500 Freestyle, 200 Freestyle Relay)
• Caroline Rubash (200 Freestyle Relay)
• Chelsea Stein (50 Freestyle, 100 Freestyle, 200 Freestyle Relay)
The WHHS Girls Swim Team finished in 7th Place overall at the WPIAL Swimming Championships. The WHHS Boys Swim Team finished in 25th Place overall at the WPIAL Swimming Championships.
Congratulations to the WHHS Divers at the WPIAL Diving Championships.
Dennis Gibson finished in 18th Place and Fred Thompson finished in 24th Place.
All WHHS swimmers, girls and boys, had many personal best times. All placed in the Top 25 and several WHHS records were broken:
Place Event Name Time New Record
1 G 500 Free Sarah Rinsma 5:05.44 Yes
3 G 200 Free Relay Rinsma, Rubash, Bodner, Stein 1:39.21
4 G 100 Fly Sarah Rinsma 57.99 Yes
5 G 50 Free Chelsea Stein 24.57
7 G 100 Breast Maddie Marcelle 1:07.58 Yes
8 G 100 Free Chelsea Stein 54.03 Yes
9 G 200 Free Gi Bodner 1:59.05
9 G 500 Free Gi Bodner 5:13.61
10 G 200 Medley Relay Stein, Marcelle, Rinsma, Bodner 1:51.81 Yes
14 B 100 Back Tim Devita 55.54
15 B 200 Free Relay Devita, Andrew Finlay, 1:34.78
James McKay, Nick Ricci
17 B 200 Medley Relay Devita, Finlay, Ryan Lowery, Ricci 1:46.63
19 B 100 Fly Tim Devita 56.00
22 G 200 I.M. Maddie Marcelle 2:19.32
23 G 400 Free Relay Marcelle, Marika Countouris, 4:01.28
Katie Bunyan, Rubash
25 B 100 Back Ryan Lowery 58.75
• Gi Bodner (200 Freestyle Relay, 500 Freestyle/Alternate)
• Maddie Marcelle (100 Breaststroke)
• Sarah Rinsma (100 Butterfly, 500 Freestyle, 200 Freestyle Relay)
• Caroline Rubash (200 Freestyle Relay)
• Chelsea Stein (50 Freestyle, 100 Freestyle, 200 Freestyle Relay)
The WHHS Girls Swim Team finished in 7th Place overall at the WPIAL Swimming Championships. The WHHS Boys Swim Team finished in 25th Place overall at the WPIAL Swimming Championships.
Congratulations to the WHHS Divers at the WPIAL Diving Championships.
Dennis Gibson finished in 18th Place and Fred Thompson finished in 24th Place.
All WHHS swimmers, girls and boys, had many personal best times. All placed in the Top 25 and several WHHS records were broken:
Place Event Name Time New Record
1 G 500 Free Sarah Rinsma 5:05.44 Yes
3 G 200 Free Relay Rinsma, Rubash, Bodner, Stein 1:39.21
4 G 100 Fly Sarah Rinsma 57.99 Yes
5 G 50 Free Chelsea Stein 24.57
7 G 100 Breast Maddie Marcelle 1:07.58 Yes
8 G 100 Free Chelsea Stein 54.03 Yes
9 G 200 Free Gi Bodner 1:59.05
9 G 500 Free Gi Bodner 5:13.61
10 G 200 Medley Relay Stein, Marcelle, Rinsma, Bodner 1:51.81 Yes
14 B 100 Back Tim Devita 55.54
15 B 200 Free Relay Devita, Andrew Finlay, 1:34.78
James McKay, Nick Ricci
17 B 200 Medley Relay Devita, Finlay, Ryan Lowery, Ricci 1:46.63
19 B 100 Fly Tim Devita 56.00
22 G 200 I.M. Maddie Marcelle 2:19.32
23 G 400 Free Relay Marcelle, Marika Countouris, 4:01.28
Katie Bunyan, Rubash
25 B 100 Back Ryan Lowery 58.75
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR SWIMMERS, DIVERS, AND COACHES FOR A WONDERFUL SHOWING AT WPIAL'S AND TO THE WHOLE TEAM FOR A GREAT SEASON!
Meet the Chicks at Dickson
The 6th grade classes of 2008-09 participated in a special "Chick Hatching" Science Project thanks to the efforts of Ms. Rachael Pricener. Ms. Pricener was awarded a mini grant from the Woodland Hills Academic Foundation for this special project. The review board was so impressed with the proposal that they authorized additional funding in order to encourage more participation and exposure with the project. Ms. Pricener teaches science to two 6th grade homerooms, but has shared the work and lessons of the entire project with all sixth graders at Dickson. The science classes were able to see seven of the 10 incubated eggs hatch. The chicks thrived and shared class space as well as valuable lessons. Ms. Pricener will complete the experiments again in the spring for this year's 6th grade classes.
Chick Slide Show click here
BUY TICKETS NOW FOR "ANNIE"
The Box Office for the Woodland Hills High School Department of Performing Arts production of Annie IS NOW OPEN! Hours are: Tuesday and Wednesday 6:00-8:00 p.m., Thursday 2:30-4:30 p.m. & 6:00-8:00 p.m., and one hour before show time. For questions please email Patricia Moore at moorpa@whsd.net or leave a message at (412) 244-1100 ext. 5187.
In addition, the Woodland Hills Department of Performing Arts is hosting its annual "meet, greet, and eat" event associated with its spring musical production of Annie, "An Afternoon with Annie & Friends." Tickets for this event can be purchased at the Box Office. For questions please email Heidi Balas at balahe@whsd.net.
MORE INFORMATION ON THIS PRODUCTION IS AVAILABLE ON THE HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL WEB PAGE.
JH Principal sends letter to Parents
To read the letter that Principal Janet Carter sent home to parents of Junior High Students regarding Wednesday's incident on school grounds, click on this link.
Excerpts from Principal Carter's letter:
"I want to reinforce that any behavior. . . fighting, hostile activity or disruptions in our normal school activities, will not be tolerated. Students will be held liable for their behavior. . . ."
"Finally, it should be noted the 99.9% of our student body responded appropriately to this most unfortunate event. You should be proud of your children as every day they make the right decisions and follow expectations. It is a pleasure serving them and we intend to continue providing the very best educational environment possible."
To read the complete letter, click on this link.
WH Academy Kindergarten Registration Lottery
The Woodland Hills Academy will hold its lottery for prospective kindergarten students for the 2010-11 school year on Tuesday, March 30 at 6:30 PM in the Academy auditorium. Read Principal Reginald Hickman's letter to prospective kindergarten parents and an informational flyer about the Academy at this link.S.H.I.N.E. ADVISORY BOARD MEETING - MARCH 18
There will be a Community Advisory Board (CAB) Meeting for the S.H.I.N.E. after school tutoring program on Thursday March 18, 2010 in the Board Room at the Administration Building from 5:00-6:00pm. Parents, students, active community members, and district residents are invited. For more information please contact Ralonda Robertson, S.H.I.N.E Program Director, at 412-731-1300 ext. 0177. Please call Audrey Stoner at 412-731-1300 ext. 0155 or e-mail her at stonau@whsd.net to RSVP by Friday, March 12, 2010. We hope to see you at this event. Your input will help allow our students to continue to SHINE!SNOW MAKE UP DAYS
Woodland Hills School District will be having school on Thursday, April 1 and Monday, April 5. These days were designated as snow makeup days in our approved 2009 -10 District calendar and due to the number of school cancellations this winter, school will be in session on those two days. These snow days apply to every WH school, including the Woodland Hills Academy.Guidance Dept Newsletter
Read the Senior Newsletter produced by the WHHS Guidance Department that includes information on scholarships and financial aid opportunities for graduating seniors.SUCCESS!
Junior High Art Teacher Jaison Pascuzzi 's project request on the Donorschoose.org website was FULLY FUNDED! Thank you all who donated and made this project such a success.You can read about the project at this link: http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=332137
BUSINESS STUDENTS COMPETE IN CHAMPIONSHIP
The FedEx Ground Junior Achievement Titan Business Challenge was hosted by Woodland Hills High School on February 5, 2010. The Woodland Hills teams competed in a virtual setting against Baldwin, Upper Saint Clair, St. John’s and Southside High Schools.
Students from the Entrepreneurial Class taught by Mrs. Sheila Thompson participated in the competition. A volunteer from FedEx helped to facilitate the event.
The Woodland Hills Entrepreneurship Team of Monte Chapman, Brandon Sachs and Anthony Young took THIRD PLACE in the JA Challenge.
Also two Woodland Hills Entrepreneurship Teams advanced as Wild Card Teams.
Team 1: Tyler Bubin, Anthony Cataldo, Corey Kramer
Team 6: Miles Bennett, Brennan Conn, Tavahn Parker
All three WH teams will advance to the Grand Championship Event on May 12, 2010 at La Roche College.
JH Student Earns Writing Scholarship
For Isaiah Lowrey, a seventh-grade student at Woodland Hills Junior High School, writing is the gateway to a world of storytelling.
"I like to write because I can create stories and entertain people,” Lowrey said. It’s like I’m creating a movie in peoples’ minds. And writing helps me to communicate my ideas and express myself.”
When Lowrey writes, he commands attention. The Swissvale resident recently earned a scholarship from the Western Pennsylvania Writing Project and The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust to attend the Young Writers Institute by providing a sample of his work. Lowrey will participate in six sessions to be held between January 30th – March 6th at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust in Pittsburgh. As a participant in this program, Lowrey will receive specialized instruction in the writing process administered by members of the Western Pennsylvania Writing Project or graduate student instructors in the University of Pittsburgh creative writing program.
Susan James, Lowrey’s seventh-grade advanced English teacher received information about the scholarship opportunity and encouraged Lowrey’s pursuit.
"I thought of Isaiah right away because he has such a passion for writing,” James said. “His writing just comes alive as you read it. He has a special gift, and I wanted to share this wonderful opportunity to enhance his skill further.
The Western Pennsylvania Writing Project’s decision to grant Isaiah this scholarship is a testament to just how talented of a young writer he is.”
WH Student Wins Poster Contest
Riley Hildebrand, a student at the Woodland Hills Academy, was the 3rd grade winner in the River Sweep Poster Contest. Her poster was one of 2,000 posters entered into the contest from the six states that border the Ohio River. She will receive a $ 50.00 Savings Bond.
Each year, students in Mrs. Cathie Pearson’s River Watchers group participate in the River Sweep at the Nine Mile Run site in Pittsburgh. The poster contest was created to promote an awareness of the problem caused by litter in our rivers and streams. See Riley's winning poster at this link.
The River Sweep is sponsored by the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO). It is an annual, one-day cleanup project for the Ohio River that covers more than 3,000 miles of shoreline in six states: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Thousands of volunteers participate in the event, collecting more than 20,000 tons of trash and debris. This year’s River Sweep is scheduled for Saturday, June 19, 2010.
A full listing of all of the contest winners can be viewed at the ORSANCO web site at www.orsanco.org. The end result of this competition is that we are all winners with cleaner rivers and streams!D
Fairless Event Re-scheduled
The annual "Bring Your Parent To School Day" at Fairless Elementary school has been postponed until Thursday, March 25, 2010 because of the weather.MOBILE CARE VAN AT DICKSON - EVERY TUES
PEDIATRIC ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE CENTER from Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
Free asthma screening, care, and education for Children of all ages
Ronald McDonald Care Mobile will be parked at Dickson School in Swissvale
Every Tuesday from 9:30 A.M to 2:00 P.M.
Offering Primary Care for children including physicals and immunizations
Questions about asthma care? Call 412-692-LUNG
Questions about primary care? Call 412-692-7777
Services started Tuesday, February 2, 2010
CHANGE IN DISTRICT DRESS CODE TO UNIFORMS
The WHSD School Board is considering a revision of its Policy on Dress and Grooming (#221). A Board Policy is subjected to three public readings before the Board votes on it. The first reading of Policy #221 will be at the January legislative meeting and members of the public are invited to comment on the proposed changes as registered speakers or during the public comment period.Revised Policy #221. Read Board Action Item 16 in January Board Meeting Information Packet.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (revised) about the revised District Dress Code
"Woodland Hills Considering Uniforms for Students" Post Gazette. January 21, 2010.
HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM & HOTLINE
A new Homelessness Prevention & Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) has been funded for Allegheny County to provide financial assistance and services to homeless individuals and families, as well as those who would become homeless without assistance. The HPRP efforts are made possible by more than $14 million from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act.There is a HOTLINE: 1-877-350-HPRP, so that individuals and families can use to learn more about the services available to help them maintain or obtain housing.
Individuals and families can call the HPRP Hotline, 1-877-350-HPRP, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, or visit www.alleghenycounty.us/recovery/hprp/program.aspx.
HPRP will provide short-term stability to individuals and families, such as assistance with rent, help with utility payments, relocation services, and access to counseling. The goal of the program is to help those who are homeless or are in danger of becoming homeless to gain housing in the short term that they will be able to maintain in the long term.In order to qualify for assistance under the program, participants must be homeless or about to become homeless.
Health Information for Students
Action Tips Parents Can Take to Protect Their Child
Signs and Symptoms of HINI (Swine) Flu
School Calendars
The Woodland Hills Academy Calendar for the 2009 -10 School Year
The Woodland Hills School District Calendar for the 2009 - 10 School Year.
Follow Woodland Hills on Twitter
If you would like to receive breaking news on twitter, follow WoodlandHillsSD on twitter.com.Special Education Public Notice
Woodland Hills School District provides a free, appropriate, public education (FAPE) to exceptional students consistent with the individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004 (P.L. 108-446). To qualify as an exceptional student, the child must be of school-age, in need of specially designed instruction, and meet eligibility criteria for one or more of the following physical or mental disabilities: autism, deaf-blindness, emotional disturbance, hearing impairment including deafness, mental retardation, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, specific learning disability; speech or language impairment, traumatic brain injury, visual impairment including blindness, and in the case of a child that is of pre-school age, developmental delay.More information about District services provided for children with disabilities can be found at this link.
Developmental Support
All parents and guardians in the Woodland Hills School District should know that supportive services are available for children with developmental difficulties. Children that are younger than 5 years of age, but at least 3 years of age, and have problems with cognitive, communicative, physical, social/emotional and/or self-help development, may be eligible for supportive services.
Questions regarding child development difficulties, should be directed to Mr. David Johnston, WHSD Director of Pupil Personnel Services at 412-731-1300, ext. 0143. The DART program for early intervention services/evaluations at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit can also provide support. They can be contacted at 412-394-5904.
SIGN UP FOR E-NEWS ALERTS
WHSD parents and community members are invited to sign up for our "E-News" list and receive updates about important District events. If interested, click on lewiel@whsd.net to send an email. Write "WHSD E-News" on the subject line.
MINORITY VITA BANK
The Woodland Hills School District is always seeking opportunities to enhance diversity among its faculty and administrative staff. The Vita Bank is designed to maintain a reference file of minority candidates who are seeking academic employment. This is not a guarantee of an offer of employment nor an employment service.
To be included in the WHSD Minority Vita Bank, please submit a resume and cover letter outlining your interests to the District Personnel Office. You can find more information on the Personnel webpage.
Students teachers and college students who are interested in a student teaching experience or internship in a diverse educational environment, should also contact the Personnel Office.
VOLUNTEER CLEARANCE PROCEDURES
Individuals wishing to volunteer in the District schools or work with students, should visit this link for information about volunteer procedures.Skills Tutor / Parent Resource Center Help Available
The Woodland Hills School District has developed a Parent Resource Center that provides parents, guardians and caregivers easy access to information and resources to improve their children's development and educational achievement. The Parent Resource Center is located on the District web page.
The District also has available an online instruction program called SkillsTutor to provide all students with an innovative way to learn. Click on this link to learn more the Skills Tutor program and how it can help your child and how you can use it at home.
Alumni Information
For information about upcoming planned reunions, visit the Alumni Page.
TRANSCRIPT REQUESTS
If you would like to request a Woodland Hills High School transcript or a transcript from one of the high schools that were merged into the Woodland Hills School District, please call the Guidance Department at the High School at 412- 244-1100, ext. 5130 or 5131. You can also email your request to mcnuli@whsd.net or shanlis@whsd.net.